ATLANTA, Dec. 4, 2006 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Delta Air Lines today is connecting global business and leisure customers with its first-ever service between Atlanta and Johannesburg, South Africa via Dakar, Senegal. With this new service, Delta becomes the only major network carrier offering direct scheduled service between the United States and Africa, saving customers valuable time otherwise spent flying over European connections.
"Thanks to Delta's exponential international growth, Atlanta is expanding its reach in connecting the United States to the rest of the world," said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. "Direct international service like this new flight between Atlanta and the African continent makes our city a valuable gateway for global business and leisure travelers and creates tremendous economic opportunities. The City of Atlanta has enjoyed a rich partnership with its hometown airline for 65 years and looks forward to building upon Atlanta's role as a global financial, commercial, and cultural center thanks in large part to the people of Delta Air Lines and the professional, friendly service they provide travelers worldwide."
"Coca-Cola has enjoyed more than 70 years of partnering with Delta Air Lines to provide Delta customers with refreshing Coca-Cola products while they travel the globe," said Neville Isdell, chairman and chief executive officer of The Coca-Cola Company. "We've been doing business in South Africa for nearly 80 years, and with the Coca-Cola Africa Group relocating its headquarters to Johannesburg in 2007, we are pleased that Delta's new nonstop flight will help us travel to this vibrant commercial market more directly and efficiently."
Delta's newest route to Johannesburg will be operated with international widebody aircraft featuring Delta's refurbished BusinessElite(r) and economy class products. Delta's award-winning BusinessElite service features all-leather sleeper seats with 60 inches of legroom, innovative food offerings designed by celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein, award-winning, original wine selections, and industry-leading, on-demand personal in-seat entertainment boasting more than 20 first-run and popular classic movies, a variety of TV programs, a broad range of music, and a suite of 12 video games. Economy class customers also will notice recent improvements on Delta, including new all-leather economy seats, enhanced food offerings and a complimentary cocktail with each meal.
Flights between Atlanta and Johannesburg are available for sale at delta.com and via other ticketing channels and are scheduled as follows:
Flight Departs Arrives Effective Frequency
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34 Atlanta at Johannesburg at Dec. 4, 2006 Daily
4:25 p.m. 4:35 p.m.
(next day)
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35 Johannesburg Atlanta at 8:50 a.m. Dec. 5, 2006 Daily
at 7:35 p.m. (next day)
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Additionally beginning Monday, Dec. 11, Delta will begin serving Accra, Ghana from its New York-JFK hub. This new service also provides many opportunities for freight shippers and cargo handlers between U.S. and the African continent.
"In addition to inaugurating service to the African continent, today also marks a new page in Delta's history as we announce an exciting new philanthropic commitment -- Delta's Force for Global Good and our first partner in this effort, Habitat for Humanity International. Our launch event will be Delta's first international build in the Katlehong community outside of Johannesburg," said Delta's Chief Executive Officer Jerry Grinstein. "Delta's Force for Global Good leverages the willingness of our employees to volunteer -- the backbone of our community engagement throughout the company's 77 years -- in the service of global humanitarian efforts."
"Delta's Force for Global Good" leverages the combined assets of the company's vast global network, more than 45,000 employees worldwide -- many of whom volunteer their time, and Delta's charitable foundation to support the global communities where our customers and employees live and work. The employees chosen for the build in Katlehong, just outside of Johannesburg, were selected from among those who have volunteered more than 100 hours annually to community service. The build is the first of several Habitat projects Delta will fulfill, all under the "Delta Force for Global Good" umbrella, in other countries where Delta employees and customers will have another opportunity to participate.
Delta Air Lines (Other OTC:DALRQ) offers customers service to more destinations than any global airline with Delta and Delta Connection carrier service to 303 destinations in 52 countries. With more than 50 new international routes added in the last year, Delta is America's fastest growing international airline and is a leader across the Atlantic with flights to 31 trans-Atlantic destinations. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers more than 400 weekly flights to 56 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 14,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 459 worldwide destinations in 97 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.
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